Clamp for wire-stretchers



J. G. KERR.

CLAMP FOR WIRE STHETCHERS- APPLICATION HLED SEPT-301919. [1,373,078. Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

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y k'd Mom/nu J. G. KERR CLAMP FOR WIRE STRETEHERS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 2919. 1,373,078. 7 Patented Ma1*.29,1921.

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. Application filed September 3, i919; SerialNo. 321,350.

To all whom it my concern citizen of the United States residing at G-oodland, in the county of bherman and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements (in Clamps for lVire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device by the use of which fence wires may be securely held while being stretched and secured after stretching. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter fully described, the novel features being subsequently particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clamp operatively connected with a wire stretcher;

Fig. 4: is aside elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing a portion of a wire secured by the clamp.

In carrying out the invention, I employ two jaws 1 and 2 which are each provided at one end with an opening 3 to receive links a forming part of the means for attachment to the wire stretcher. One link 4 carries a second link 5 while the other link 4 carries a hook 6 adapted to be engaged in the link 5 which is connected by the short chainor cable 7 with the wire stretcher lever 16, the jaws 1 and 2 being drawn together by the pull upon the chain 7 so as to clamp the wire. At the ends remote from the openings 3, the jaws are pivoted together by a bolt or pin 8 inserted through registering openings in the jaws and the jaw 2 is constructed with an offset portion 9 whereby the main portion of the jaw will be in the same plane with the body of the jaw 1, while permitting the ends of the jaws to be dis posed side by side and pivotally connected. The opposed edges of the jaws are provided with wire-clamping means which, in the instace of the lower jaw 1, comprises a recess or socket 10 formed in an intermediate thickened portion of said lower jaw and provided with depressions or corrugations 11 in its base and conveniently defined by longitudinal flanges 12 at the sides of the jaw which flanges project above the Specification or Letters Patent. P te te n 29, 1921.

j w upper ends of the corrugations, and serve Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. KERR, a

to center the upper jaw with respect to the lower aw and prevent lateral displacement thereof, as shown. The upper jaw 2 is provided with a mating clampin member or is wrapped around or otherwise secured to the fence post 19.

The use of the invention will be readily understood. When the jaws are opened or separated as in Fig. 1, a portion of a fence wire 15 may be easily inserted between the clamping portions of the jaws and held against lateral movement by the side flanges 12 or their equivalents. After the wire has been placed in the socket member 10, the upper jaw 2 is brought down upon the same, as shown in Fig.3, and when force is eX- erted through the wire stretcher upon the link 5, the connecting members 4, 5 and 6 will be caused to more closely approach each other and the pull exerted upon them will serve to hold the jaws 1 and 2 in close contact with the wire so that slipping of the wire will be positively prevented and it may be drawn taut and then secured while held in a taut condition. After the fence wire has been secured, a release of the tension upon the wire stretcher will permit the members 4, 5 and 6 to slacken, as shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the clamp may be removed from the wire. Should the wireengaging portions of the jaws become worn through long continued use so as to be no pawls 17 which serve alternately as fulcrums, the inactive pawl being shifted manually along the chain18 to engage the same at a point nearer the post 19. v v

My device is exceedingly simple in the construction and arrangement of its parts and may be produced at a very low cost and in usewill befoundhighly efficient for the a purpose for which it is designed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A clamp for wire stretchers comprisin a pair of pivotally connected-jaws, one 0? said jaws being substantially straight from end to end with its greatest dimension en tirely within a single plane and the other jaw being substantially straight through nearly its entire extent and laterally oii'sel at its pivotal end whereby the pivotal ends of the jaws may be disposed side by side to receive a transverse pivot and the wire to be stretched may be disposed longitudinally upon the edge of the first mentioned jaw without bending, the inner longitudinal edges of said jaws being provided with intermeshing corrugations and one of the jaws being formed with spaced longitudinal side flanges projecting above the ends of the adjacent corrugations and adapted to overlap the side Walls of the mating jaw when said jaws are closed, and a connection between the free ends ofthe jaws.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH G. KERR. [n s] 

